12 teams will go to battle. At the end of round 9, six of them will wish they’d stayed home and played twister instead.
12 teams will go to battle. At the end of round 9, six of them will wish they’d stayed home and played twister instead.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS V CANBERRA
Saturday 10 May 2008 17:30 (AEST)
Sydney Football Stadium
Referee: Jason Robinson
The Final Tip: Canberra
The first battle of round 9 will be an 80-minute affair, making the struggle to get out of Moore Park via car all the more worth it when the dust is settled. Canberra have won two of their last three games against the Roosters. These two teams have played at the SFS 14 times with the Roosters walking away victorious 11 times. 5 of the Roosters players will be backing up from Friday’s test-match and that could tire out the home side just enough for a fresh, fast and focused Raiders outfit to prove the tipping experts wrong.
NORTH QUEENSLAND V CRONULLA
Saturday 10 May 2008 19:30 (AEST)
Dairy Farmers Stadium
Referee: Tony Archer
The Final Tip: Cronulla Sharks
Two-games of football for Jonathon Thurston in 24-hours. Is this a wise idea after the Australian halfback rolled his ankle the day before the Centenary Test? Both teams have lost their last two games so the urgency will be there. North Queensland have not beaten any top eight teams this season, making this their second biggest test of the year after facing Melbourne in round 7. Cronulla have won four of their first five away games in 2008 and are beating the teams they should. It all depends on how the Cowboys react to last weekend’s shock loss to South Sydney.
CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN V PENRITH
Saturday 10 May 2008 19:30 (AEST)
ANZ Stadium
Referee: Jared Maxwell
The Final Tip: Bulldogs
It’s the battle of the mid-range teams who need to play a lot better if they want to make the finals and then not bow out in the first week. Lots of defensive problems for both these teams which will probably turn this into a high-scoring game that will probably feel like a version of marco polo on land. These two teams can score enough points in the first half to lead on the scoreboard but then they leak too many points in the first quarter of the second-half and by the time they get their attack in order, it’s all over red rover. Wouldn’t want to have money on this one that’s for sure.
BRISBANE V MANLY
Sunday 11 May 2008 14:00 (AEST)
Suncorp Stadium
Referee: Shayne Hayne
The Final Tip: Manly
An excellent time for Manly to be playing the competition leaders who are once again without Darren Lockyer. The last three games between these two teams have been decided by an average of 10 points. We could be looking at a Grand Final preview here I believe. The Broncos have some good playmakers to keep the Sea Eagles on their toes in the form of Karmichael Hunt and Justin Hodges. It’s just that Manly have more at their disposal in the form of Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson and Steve Bell. Matt Orford must have a blinder if he wants to make the NSW Selectors pull their heads out and give him consideration.
PARRAMATTA V ST GEORGE-ILLAWARRA
Sunday 11 May 2008 15:00 (AEST)
ANZ Stadium
Referee: Sean Hampstead
The Final Tip: Eels
You couldn’t ask for a more schizophrenic season from these two teams could you? The Eels- after a dreadful stack of losses that could’ve been defused - scored four tries in 11 minutes against Penrith last weekend and demonstrated what they can do when they’re at their best. But can they back up such a performance again? The Dragons when they win, do it comfortably against top-tier teams. Yet neither of these sides have scored a back-to-back win in 2008. That will all change on Sunday afternoon. The question is who will do it? The Eels are slight favourites and I must re-emphasise the word SLIGHT! This one could go into golden-point such is the laissez fair approach to defence at crucial times by both clubs.
MELBOURNE STORM V NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Sunday 12 May 2008 19:00 (AEST)
Olympic Park
Referee: Ben Cummins
The Final Tip: Newcastle.
Cooper Cronk was all ready for a race around the circuit when he was called up to be on standby for the Australian Kangaroos last Thursday. How will his lack of go-kart time affect the Melbourne Storm on Monday night? The Storm had 8 players representing both Australia and New Zealand.I know they love their footy and have only lost at home once this season but this many players backing up might be too much for the premiers I think. Brian Smith will come up with the mother of all plans to use that against the Storm. I think it will involve kicking early in the tackle count so as to turn the Storm defenders around and run them back long distances so as to double their energy usage. Get that right and if the Knights can execute the basics well enough, this one could already be over before a ball has been kicked.
